Stellar performances abounded in the South Mountain Athletic 2A/3A Conference track and field championship meet at Shelby’s Blanton Memorial Stadium on Tuesday.

No less than eight athletes won at least two separate events in the meet, which saw Shelby capture both the boys and girls team titles.

The Golden Lion boys rang up five first-place finishes in dominating the meet with 193.3 points, far ahead of runner-up Freedom’s 130 total.

It was much tighter on the girls’ side. Shelby had to edge Burns for the win in the 4X400 relay to triumph by a mere half-point over the Bulldogs. The Shelby girls had 123 points with Burns at 122.5.

Shelby had a multiple winner in Donte Dorsey, who took honors in the long jump and high hurdles. He was also second in the triple jump and landed MVP honors in field events.

Freedom’s Khris Gardin won the 100- and 200-meter sprints to take league MVP honors in running events. Patton also had a double winner in distance runner Noah Green in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter events.

Shelby also got wins by Lance Byrd in the triple jump, Chris Wray in the high jump, plus its 4X400 relay entry.

Burns got a first-place effort by its 4X100 relay team.

On the girls’ side, Shelby was led by triple winner Ladeja Anderson. She took victories at the 800-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter distances to land MVP honors in running events.

R-S Central’s Candice Simmons was the MVP in field events after winning the high jump and triple jump.

Other multiple winners were Burns’ Rebecca Benfield, who led the way in the discus and shot put, plus Valerie Walker, who claimed firsts in the 200- and 400-meter dashes. Patton’s Marissa Scott won both the hurdle races.

The 3A West track regional is set May 4 at Western Carolina University. Shelby will compete in the 2A West regional on May 11 at Bunker Hill.

Coaching honors – Shelby High’s David Devine was named the SMAC Coach of t he Year in track and field by the league coaches. On the girls’ side, Shelby’s Crystal Miller and Burns’ Melanie Walker shared the award.